Latest news with #PDLs
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
BuCor inaugurates new conjugal building at Bilibid
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday inaugurated a newly constructed conjugal building at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The bureau said the facility provides a secure and dignified space for PDLs to maintain family ties, adding that this is an important aspect of social reintegration. According to the bureau, the facility was donated by an individual while the amenities and furnishings were provided by a Philippine-based hotel chain. The inauguration was led by BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. "The Bureau continues to explore infrastructure enhancements that align with international standards on correctional management, in its pursuit of a modern, humane, and reform-oriented penal system," the BuCor said in a statement. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- GMA Network
BuCor: 2,923 inmates released from April to June 2025
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday announced that 2,923 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released from April 1 to June 11, 2025. 'By facilitating the reintegration of PDLs into society, the government not only helps these individuals reclaim their lives but also fosters safer communities,' BuCor Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. said in a statement. 'Proper reintegration programs can significantly reduce recidivism rates, allowing for better engagement with society and improved public safety,' Catapang said. Meanwhile, of the released inmates, the bureau said 2,373 were due to expiration of sentence, 228 were acquitted, 212 due to parole, 76 due to habeas corpus, 59 were granted probation, and two were turned over. Meanwhile, 1,204 were from New Bilibid Prison, 248 from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, four from CIW-Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, and 42 from CIW-Mindanao. BuCor said 469 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 356 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 134 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 180 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, and 313 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm. According to BuCor, a total of 23,579 PDLs have already been released under the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PEZA Board OKs creation of Palawan Mega Ecozone
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Board has approved the creation of the Palawan Mega Ecozone (PMEZ), set to be biggest of its kind in the Philippines, with 28,000 hectares of idle land in the Iwahig Penal Colony of the Bureau of Correction (BuCor) planned for conversion into industrial estates. According to PEZA, the Board approved the creation of PMEZ during its meeting on May 21, affirming its contract with BuCor to transfer ownership of idle lands to PEZA for the creation of the ecozone. An initial 4,000 hectares has already been transferred to PEZA under Phase 1, with the pre-qualification for the declaration of a 4,000-hectare property located in Barangays Montible and Sta. Lucia, Puerto Princesa also approved for development. "The Palawan Mega Ecozone is envisioned to attract environmentally responsible industries such as agro-industrial processing, renewable energy, ecotourism, and marine biotechnology," PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said in a statement. "This will not only preserve Palawan's rich biodiversity but will also uplift the livelihood of local communities through jobs and infrastructure development," he added. Under the Special Economic Zone Act, ecozones are selected areas with highly developed areas or those which have the potential to be developed into agro-industrial, industrial tourist/recreational, commercial, banking, investment, and financial centers. Business establishments operating within ecozones are entitled to fiscal incentives as provided by the Ombinus Investment Code, and exempted from national and local taxes, except for real property taxes on land owned by developers. They are instead mandated to remit 5% of their gross income—with 3% going to the national government, and 2% to the treasurer's office of the city or municipality. PEZA said the PMEZ is seen to "revive" the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), and is an immediate response to instructions of the President to promote stronger ties among member states of the Association of East Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is expected to create over 480,000 direct jobs, employing individuals from local communities, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), and the whole of the Western Visayas and Sulu Regions. Under its mandate, PEZA is tasked to promote the establishment of economic zones in the Philippines for foreign investments. The agency approved 102 new and expansion projects from January to May this year, equivalent to a total investment of P66.34 billion. These are expected to generate over $1 billion in export revenues, and approximately 29,000 direct Filipino jobs. South Korea was the top investing nationality, accounting for 16.12% of total approved investments, followed by the United States with 4.08%, China with 2.20%, Japan with 2.92%, and the Netherlands with 2.16%. In terms of industry, the largest share of approvals were in food and beverage with 43.74%, backed by ecozone development with 32.52%, and information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) with 7.59%. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- General
- GMA Network
BuCor to build halfway houses in prisons
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Wednesday ordered the establishment of halfway houses in prisons and penal farms nationwide. According to the BuCor, the halfway houses will be for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) awaiting release and for released PDLs whose settlement arrangements are still pending. Meanwhile, Catapang ordered the submission of plans and designs for each halfway house as well as the budgetary requirements. Catapang also directed officials to identify areas where PDLs who are about to be released may stay in order to separate them from the general jail population while the project is being planned. He said this seeks to prepare PDLs for their release and ensure that they have the resources necessary for their reintegration to society. The BuCor chief stressed the importance of a program for PDLs within the halfway houses. The program will include counselling sessions, orientation activities, interviews, and short courses. "This holistic approach recognizes that preparing individuals for reintegration involves more than simply setting them free but it requires equipping them with the tools to navigate societal challenges effectively," Catapang said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
MMDA: Used campaign paraphernalia donated to BJMP for recycling
Campaign materials used during Eleksyon 2025 will be donated to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for recycling, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Saturday. The used campaign material will be used for reproduction as saleable items for the benefit of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). Christian Maño of Super Radyo DZBB reported on Dobol B TV that MMDA personnel have been collecting campaign paraphernalia in Metro Manila after Eleksyon 2025. In an ambush interview, MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the agency will donate the collected materials to the BJMP for reproduction as tote bags and other profitable goods of PDLs. Earlier in the week, the MMDA reported that around 10,100 kilograms, or 11.18 tons, of campaign materials in the National Capital Region were removed on the first day of cleanup after the May 2025 midterm elections. In its report, the MMDA said 23,452 pieces of campaign materials were collected in 16 cities and one town in the region. Most of the removed campaign posters were from Manila, with 4.05 tons, followed by Muntinlupa with 1.66 tons and Districts II, V, and VI in Quezon City with 1.27 tons. --Jamil Santos/ VAL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
